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The Hippodrome once stood as one of the purest examples of Constantinople's classical Greek origins. Though the original structure dates back to pre-Roman times when the city was still called Byzantium, the Hippodrome was enlarged and improved by Constantine the Great, and remained in use for nearly 800 years.

By the time Byzantine Emperor Michael Palaiologos had recaptured the city in 1261, the Hippodrome was in poor state and he made no effort to restore it to its former glory. When the Ottomans took over in 1453, all hope that it would ever be repaired dwindled to nothing, as chariot-racing was not a Turkish hobby.

During modern times, it became a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı, or "Sultan Ahmet Square", which was sometimes referred to by Turkish residents as the Atmeydanı, or "Horse Square". By the 21st century, only a few fragments of the original structure remained.